Kuala Lumpur, 15 July 2025 – The Women in Rail Malaysia Conference 2025, hosted at The Majestic Hotel and co-organised by Women in Rail Malaysia and YTL Construction, brought together prominent leaders from the rail, infrastructure, and mobility sectors for a dynamic day of dialogue, insight, and strategic discussion.

Spanning more than eight hours, the conference showcased how inclusive leadership, digital transformation, and regional partnerships are shaping the next phase of rail development in Malaysia and beyond.

The day began with a warm welcome from Natasha Zulkifli, Founder Director of Women in Rail Malaysia. Her opening remarks set the tone for what would be a bold and purposeful event, calling for stronger female representation, courageous leadership, and regional unity in a fast-evolving transport landscape.

This spirit was immediately reflected in the international keynotes that followed. Deovanni S. Miranda, General Manager of Philippine National Railways, shared the Philippines' ambitious plans to modernise its railway infrastructure through transformative projects such as the Metro Manila Subway and the North-South Commuter Railway. He emphasized the importance of combining foreign investment with local capacity-building to create a resilient and future-ready rail system.

Silvia Halim, a renowned infrastructure leader from Indonesia, drew from her experience overseeing mega-projects in both Indonesia and Singapore. Her reflections on leadership, innovation, and gender equity in the infrastructure space highlighted the balance between technical excellence and emotional intelligence required in today’s complex environment.

The conversation then widened its lens to global examples. Keisuke Tanaka from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) detailed Japan’s growing role in rail development across Asia, from technology transfer to long-term government partnerships. His insights offered a valuable look into how Malaysian firms could tap into the next wave of regional transport opportunities.

Similarly, Juan Guia Garcia, Economic and Commercial Counsellor from the Embassy of Spain in Kuala Lumpur, presented Spain’s high-speed rail success story. With a network stretching over 3,800 kilometres, Spain has not only revolutionized travel but also boosted regional economies, integrated labour markets, and attracted sustained investment. His case study underscored the transformative power of infrastructure done right.

One of the day’s most engaging sessions was titled “AI, Ambition & the Next Generation Workforce.” The panel brought together Norlida Azmi, founder of Chapter Advisory; Caelystar Ng, a UCLA engineering student and Shell Scholar; and Bikesh Lakhmichand, founder of 1337 Ventures. Moderated by Maxis’ Fang Qing Ling, the conversation focused on how AI is reshaping the world of work and what it means for the next generation of leaders. Issues such as talent pipelines, digital inclusion, and youth empowerment were explored through a lens of readiness and reinvention.

The theme of innovation continued with a session on “Rail, AI & Smart Cities.” Experts from AtkinsRealis, Hitachi Rail, ST Engineering, and RTS Link shared real-world insights into how smart planning and AI-powered infrastructure are being used to build more connected, data-driven cities. Their ideas were amplified by Leon Daniels OBE, President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport UK and former Managing Director of Transport for London, who urged Malaysian stakeholders to make timely, tech-informed decisions or risk falling behind.

One of the most anticipated local discussions came later in the day during the session titled “Malaysia’s Rail Future in the Balance – Are We Moving Fast Enough?” Datuk Mohd Zarif Hashim, CEO of MRT Corp, issued a candid assessment of Malaysia’s rail progress. He pointed to delays in key projects such as MRT3, the Penang LRT, and the ART in Johor Bahru, noting that while regional neighbours were forging ahead, Malaysia still faced critical decisions on project delivery, technology adoption, and system integration. His message was clear: if Malaysia is to keep up with regional demand and urban growth, it must accelerate implementation and strengthen multimodal connections across MRT, LRT, ART, and the RTS Link to Singapore.

The day concluded with a closing keynote address by YB Anthony Loke, Malaysia’s Minister of Transport. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building an inclusive and sustainable rail industry. The Minister acknowledged the role of Women in Rail Malaysia in advancing gender equity and recognised the vital contributions of women across engineering, planning, and leadership roles. His remarks served as a fitting end to a conference that not only addressed the state of the industry, but also championed the people driving its progress.

The Women in Rail Malaysia Conference 2025 was more than an event  it was a catalyst. It blended global case studies with local urgency, technological insights with inclusive values, and strategic ambition with grassroots leadership. The message resounded clearly across the hall: Malaysia’s rail future must be fast, inclusive, and future-proof and that future starts now.